April's 'Final Fridays' at The Wine Sellers (TWS), which will be held April 24 with local musician Bill Maakestad, will raise funds for the new McDonough County YMCA 'Replay Thrift Shop,' which debuted at the Y last fall.
The April 'Final Friday' will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
On the last Friday of each month, the man behind the mike (and guitar) plays at The Wine Sellers – sometimes solo, sometimes joined by other local musicians – and plays for donations for local organization. Since starting this initiative in 2020, Maakestad and The Wine Sellers, owned by Craig and Julia Burns of Macomb, have raised over $25,000 for 28 area nonprofits, ranging from local food pantries, social service programs, public radio, the humane society and education, among many other organizations.
YMCA CEO Nick Knowles and Maggie Lien established the YMCA 'Replay Thrift Shop' in honor of Maggie's late husband, Chester, who spent over 40 years officiating high school and college sports. A gift from Maggie last year in the couple's names created the thrift shop, provides 'gently- used' sports equipment, with everything tagged at $5, for area residents. The shop is open on Saturdays from 9 a.m.noon through late fall/early winter.
'I am so happy to have a spot to donate used sports equipment and officiating apparel, and Chester is smiling and celebrating,' Maggie told The Community News Brief in an earlier story. 'This is a great opportunity for parents who might not be able to afford items when their children want to try out a sport. I greatly appreciate everyone who donates to this cause.'
Chester's life was cut short unexpectedly on Nov. 17, 2023 on his way to an officiating clinic near Peoria. An educator and administrator, he and Maggie had called Macomb home for many years before moving to the Quad Cities region, and then returning back to Macomb after retiring.
According to Knowles, 'Replay Thrift Shop' accepts donations of gently-used sports equipment, and for those who are beginning their journey into an officiating career, apparel was donated by Maggie for those in need of officiating gear.
Items can be dropped off at the shop, which is located near the gymnastics center (318 E. Calhoun St.) from 9 a.m.noon on Saturdays, or by emailing at nknowles@macombymca. org to schedule a drop-off.'
'Replay Thrift Shop' will take cash, card or check. YMCA members can charge items to their Y account.
